Leon Tim Draisaitl is a German professional ice hockey centre and an alternate captain for the Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League. He started his hockey career in his home country Germany and scaled to the CHL when he was selected by the Prince Albert Raiders in the 2012 Draft. After playing there for two years, the Edmonton Oilers drafted him in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. In 2020, Leon Draisaitl had his highlight moment in the NHL when he won the Art Ross Trophy as the leading point scorer of the NHL and became the first German player to receive this honour. Apart from the Art Ross trophy, he won the Hart Memorial Trophy for being the most valuable player of the regular season in 2020, and in the same season Draisaitl also secured the Ted Lindsay Award for being the Most Outstanding Player of the League.
Also Read: Leon Draisaitl contract
Leon Draisaitl Hat Tricks
Leon Draisaitl has made his name in the NHL for his incredible eight career hat tricks. The first hat trick he scored in 2018-2019. The second hat trick he scored in the 2019-2020 season. Draisaitl hit two hat tricks for three seasons (in the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023 season).
He debuted in the NHL on 9 October 2014 and played his first game against the Calgary Flames and scored his first NHL goal on 24 October 2014 against the Carolina Hurricanes. On 16 March 2016 he played his 100th NHL game against the St. Louis Blues.
Leon Draisaitl Early Days
Leon Draisaitl was born on October 27, 1995, in Cologne, Germany to parents Peter and Sandra Draisaitl. His father also played hockey and had a notable career in the sport with the Kölner Haie in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga and also represented the German national team in three Winter Olympics.
Leon Draisaitl played various sports in his childhood including soccer but he developed an interest in ice hockey. As an amateur, he played for the Kölner Haie under-16 team and the Adler Mannheim under-18 team. He learned skating when he was very young under the guidance of his father.
During the 2011-2012 season, Leon Draisaitl showcased his talent in the German Development League with his impressive 21 goals and 56 points in just 35 games played for the Jungadler Mannheim U18. He was honoured with the Player of the Year in the league for his outstanding performance.
Leon Draisaitl NHL career
After debuting with the Edmonton Oilers, he made an immediate impact in the league. In the 2016-2017 season, he played a crucial role in the playoff season, and finished the regular season with 29 goals and 48 assists. Draisaitl stood out in the 2018-2019 season, he scored 50 goals and collected 105 points. In the following year, he secured the Art Ross Trophy, the Hart Memorial, and the Ted Lindsay Award and became the first German player to receive these honours.
In 2021-2022, Draisaitl struggled in the playoffs yet he achieved a milestone, finishing the season with 50 goals for the second time in his career.
In the 2022 playoffs, he scored 32 playoff points in the "Battle of Alberta" and helped the Oilers advance. Oilers advanced to the Western Conference Final but they lost against the Colorado Avalanche. Despite their loss, Draisaitl earned praise for his contribution.
FAQs
A. Leon has scored 306 goals and 438 assists in 638 games played additionally, he scored 77 playoff points in 49 games (as of 2022-23 season).
A. Leon Draisaitl is known for his exceptional talent in the NHL and Leon is the first German player to win the Art Ross Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award.
A. Draisaitl debuted in the NHL on October 9, 2014 and played his first game against the Calgary Flames and scored his first NHL goal on 24 October 2014 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
A. Leon Draisaitl has made his name in the NHL for his incredible eight hat tricks.
A. Draisaitl made his debut with the Oilers in 2014 and has been playing with them since then.
